Rafa Benitez insists he will “keep calm and carry on. The President knows it's a difficult situation, but we must remain united.”
The Inter Coach is under pressure after the derby defeat left them six points adrift of Serie A leaders Milan, while President Massimo Moratti publicly raged that the team was “not improving” under Rafa's leadership.
Rafa Benitez insists he will “keep calm and carry on. The President knows it's a difficult situation, but we must remain united.”
The Inter Coach is under pressure after the derby defeat left them six points adrift of Serie A leaders Milan, while President Massimo Moratti publicly raged that the team was “not improving” under Rafa's leadership.
“I keep calm and carry on. This is not the time to stop, it is the time to push forward. The President knows it is a difficult situation because of the injuries, but we must remain united,” declared Benitez in a Press conference this afternoon.
“The only way we can reach our destination is by winning and that journey is done through hard work. If one of the rowers gets hurt, the others have to work harder.”
There are 11 absentees for Sunday's trip to Chievo, as Coutinho pulled up with a thigh strain during training and could be out for anything up to two months.
“It was nothing in particular, he just went into a challenge and hurt himself. I saw the players looked worried. We have to remain united and take it one game at a time. Now there's Chievo, then there will be Twente.
“We know there are always more obstacles to overcome and I am worried at losing so many players to injury, but that is all that worries me. We've had lots of meetings with the medical and fitness staff, so we're doing more intense prevention work, aware each player needs a specific training schedule.”
This season has been characterised by numerous injuries at Inter, Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina.
“Many factors contribute to this situation and other top sides have this type of problem. Inter started the season earlier than anyone, so the physical and psychological stress takes its toll,” continued Benitez.
“We have been working in football for 25 years at this level and have won. We know there are some problems, we know that some things need to be adjusted.
“If we all work together, then we will win.”